With grace, courage, and unending faith, our mother, Patricia Hamalainen, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan.13, 2015, at the Gathering at Boutwells Landing, Stillwater, Minn., after a brief battle with cancer.
She was born just a couple years after the stock market crash of 1929 in the depths of the Great Depression and spent her entire 83 years living in Minnesota.
Patricia was born to Louis and Jennie Colbassani in Virginia, Minn., Dec. 6, 1931, the second of two daughters.
She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Virginia and attended college at the College of St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, Minn. Upon graduating from St. Catherine’s, she began her teaching career in Gilbert, Minn.
After marrying the love of her life Leslie Hamalainen on June 16, 1956, Patricia moved to International Falls, Minn., and continued her teaching career.
Together they raised three children, Robert, James and Jennifer.
She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie; son, Robert; parents, Louis and Jennie Colbassani; sister, Juanita Drobac; and beloved puppy, “Birch.”
She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Dan) Rabideaux; son, James (Stacy) Hamalainen; grandsons, Daniel, Bryce and Aidan; and granddaughter, Elizabeth.
Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Memorials to the charity of your choice are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Condolences may be left at http://www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
Mass of Resurrection for Dorothy Mable Iraci, 96, of International Falls, who died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, was conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Officiating was Fr. Ben Hadrich.
Music was by May Ann Kalar and Betty Opdahl.
Readers were Ed Chezick and Gina McLaughlin.
Gift Bearers were Dylan, Keira, Britta, Geoff and Angela McLaughlin, and Kate and Justin Chezick.
Eucharistic minister was Keith Goulet. Usher was Frank Watkinson.
Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:30, at Green-Larsen Mortuary, International Falls.
Interment was at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, International Falls.
Arrangements were with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
At a recent luncheon of the International Falls Rotary Club, Rotarians led three groups in answering the four questions of the “Voyage Forward” initiative for Koochiching County. Pictured are, front row, Dianne Briggs, Pam Oveson and Jim Yount; back row, Nancy Rognerud and Ashley Hall.
